Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1887-07-12
WIELTAnSBrRG.
An Exciting Scene in COurt-Dr.
wise Recognized asCIerk.


july II, 1887.
4 large crowd from town and the
surrounding counties attended the SEES
sion Of the County Court to-day to
witness what they thought would be an
exciting scene over the contest for
clerk Of the court. The point was
which OF the two partics-Morecock or
Nise-the Judge would recognize. To
"A certain extent their expeditions were
realized. At II o'clock the court house
bell VAS sounded, and the crowd which
bad Gathered around the court build
ing soon filed the courtroom.
The Judge in few minutes was IN
hi, scat, and among those seated within
the Lsr were John ). Wise, counsel for
his brother. and x-Congressman James
y. Brady. OF Petersburg, who, rs au
,ATcrenced eX-court clerk, is here for
The purpose OF inducing into Office
his friend Or. Wise
Air. John 5. Wise arose and said that
he was here TO represent the clerk OF
this court. DIR. Wise, who up to this
time has been refused his office by Mr..
Morccock. Mr.. Wise and Mr. Armi-
stead. who is counsel for Mr.. Norccock,
occupied the time OF the Court for
nearly two hours, each making several
speeches. In the last speech made by
Mr. Wise he worked himself up TO
ieycr-hcat. and his language i'll refer
cncc to Mr. MOrccocks continuing TO
hold the Office was OF such violent per
sonal character as to causc that gentle
man to arise and ask the protection OF
the Court while within It's jurisdiction.
Outside of this court I can protect
mvsclf.' hc SAID. Mr.. John Wise con
tinuinc IN the same strain, Mr.. MorecOck
again called the attention OF the COuIt
to his language.
Air. Wise Your Honor, object to
being interrupted, and ask you to com
init that party for contempt
The Court Mr.. Morccock. you will
please not interrupt the court again.
Arc you represented by counsel or do
Won represent yourself:
Mr.. Morccock: ] am represented
here by Mr. Armistead, and am actin
IN tins matter under legal advice. !
will not interrupt the court d. lin. ]
only ash protection while / am in your
court, cir.
Mr. Armistead here arose and sal /
that inc only represented Mr. MorecOch
in legal and not in personal ca
pac!ty.
The Court Mr. Wise, think We
can get along better and faster if you
viii cou.ine yourself to the case and
record
Air Wise (smilnsl: Well, I will try
and do so, sir.
The case was then proceeded with in
mildcr strain.
The decision Of the Court was that he
was duty bound to recognize Or Wis
as clerk of his court. and that had Tho
counsel on the other side (John s.
WISE been rs familiar with the facts IA
the case as he, there would not hay.
been so many personal remarks. IN.
Judge then called DIR. Wise to tn,
clerk S desk
The committee appointed at tue last
torn OF the court to examine into tn.
condition OF the clerks Office reported
that "thc general condition OF tn
clerks Office was excellent, the record.
mp to date and properly indeXed, and
| papers al neatly kept"
an dnymg tho squabble over tn.
clorkship contest the immense crow
listened in almost breathlcss silence
and when the court adjourned for din
ncr many remained inside in order t.
secure good seats, with the expectation
that something else exciting mightturr
up. But this time they were disap
pointed. As the Court proceeded Il
call the docket. most OF the business
being continued until the next term
the new officers seemed to be llttl'
nervous and confused at their first ap
poarance in court. The June term o
our court has been the most excitln'
since the present Judge has been on TN
bench. ".